Okanagan

The Medal Counts: 2013 BC Wine Award Results

October 3, 2013
A tough job but ...

Yes, I know, there should be a way more sexy pic here. But that’s all there is: a down and dirty get it done, direct from the action shot that exposes the gritty reality of judging the morning’s first flight. We had planned to have all kinds of intellegent analysis of the awards to offer […]

Read the full article →

Stoneboat’s Very Cool Icewine Nod to The Cape

September 29, 2013
Pinotage icewine? Yup, it's a first!

I never fail to be intrigued by the connections afforded by the wine world. Call it six brix of separation.  These days it seems icewine comes in every varietal and colour. I have to admit I’m not always a fan. There are way too many ‘sugar bombs’ around for my liking—and not every variety is […]

Read the full article →

No Roughing it in Osoyoos: Watermark Hits the Mark and More

September 27, 2013
The view from Watermark: An ever changing panorama

I’ll admit it: when I’m in full-on writing mode, I’m a bit of a home-body, which can be challenging on the road. All the more reason why I’m very happy to be ensconced in the Watermark Beach Resort, in Osoyoos, in southern BC. Yes, I’m being hosted here. Thank you, friendly Watermark people. But this […]

Read the full article →

Culmina Family Estate Hypothesis, More Than a Theoretical Winner

September 6, 2013
Culmina

Culmina Hypothesis 2011     Here’s a wine we figured would be worth waiting for, and we weren’t disappointed, as it more than lived up to our expectations. This is the inaugural release from just opened Culmina Family Estate, the project undertaken by Don Triggs, his wife Elaine  and their daughter Sara Triggs. If you […]

Read the full article →

From Touriga to Tannat, Moon Curser Delivers the Goods

August 18, 2013
MC-Fox copy

Some years ago, I visited an upstart little winery in Australia by the name of Yellow Tail, along with an enthusiastic group of Aussie and Kiwi wholesalers. We shared a casual lunch at makeshift tables in the warehouse (they’d expanded so fast there was no reception room), along with several local growers, who had been […]

Read the full article →

6 Helpful Hints (and more) for a Successful #Okanagan Wine Tour

July 18, 2013
Not a bad way to start the day: at Quails Gate, overlooking Lake Okanagan

Planning a wine tour? Here’s a few ground rules A couple of weeks ago I found myself on the patio at Quails Gate’s impressive, vista-kissed tasting room, at around 10 in the morning. The first wine up was Quails Gate Chenin Blanc 2012. Think hints of papaya with a burst of lemon lime and zippy […]

Read the full article →

Time Estate Winery Unveiled by BC Wine Pioneer Harry McWatters (Video)

June 9, 2013
Time Estate Winery founder Harry McWatters with architect

Time Estate founder Harry McWatters   I never thought I’d use Harry McWatters’ name in the same sentence as Jim Croce’s.  But there I was, walking home from the official launch of the BC pioneer’s new winery, Time Estate Winery, quietly humming to myself Time in a Bottle! Harry and I have shared more than […]

Read the full article →

50th Parallel Estate Winery welcomes winemaker Grant Stanley (Video)

June 2, 2013
Grant Stanley (l) has joined 50th Parallel Estate Winery owners Sheri-Lee Turner-Krouzel and Curtis Krouzel in what promises to be a significant venture for the North Okanagan

50th Parallel Estate Winery owners welcome Grant Stanley Grant Stanley has taken Quails Gate to new levels in his decade long sojourn. He’s turned it into one of the Okanagan’s most consistent producers; and honed a solid reputation for well made wines that frequently over-deliver. The last time I’d seen Grant he’d hinted something big […]

Read the full article →

Howard Soon: “2012 is one of the Best Vintages We’ve Ever Had” (Video)

April 15, 2013

Last week after the BC Wine Institute Vintage Preview, we asked Peller master winemaker Howard Soon for a few comments about his Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc, and the 2012 vintage…   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S0OWF2bMiQ   Here’s our story from the North Shore News: … What was interesting this time was that the viticulturalists were invited along to offer […]

Read the full article →

Sun Peaks Winter Wine Festival: The Skiing Senator, Snowshoes and Syrah

January 4, 2013
Sun-Peaks-Sundance-Lodge-Tim-Pawsey-photo-300x199

UPDATE: There are still a few tix to be had for this year’s Sun Peaks Winter Festival of Wine (January 12-20, 2013). Take a look at last year’s post and you’ll see it’s a lot of fun—particularly if you’re a skier or into any other winter sports. Sun Peaks is one of those ‘just right’ […]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries